Bill > HB1009

This bill, titled the "Colorado Mandatory Lethality Assessment Act," mandates that peace officers, defined as certified individuals who investigate domestic violence reports, must conduct a "lethality assessment" when responding to a domestic violence incident, which is defined as any incident of domestic violence as defined by existing law. A lethality assessment is a validated, evidence-based screening tool with standardized questions used to identify a "high-risk victim," meaning someone determined to be at high risk by the assessment or by the peace officer's judgment based on the circumstances. If the assessment indicates high risk, or if the officer determines high risk based on the totality of the circumstances, the officer must immediately connect the victim with a community-based victim's advocate, either by phone or in person, to offer them the opportunity to speak with the advocate. To ensure proper implementation, the Attorney General's office, in collaboration with a Colorado-based domestic violence survivor advocacy group, will develop mandatory training for peace officers on administering these assessments and making referrals, with the training to be made available by June 1, 2027, and all law enforcement agencies required to ensure their officers complete it by July 1, 2027. The bill also includes provisions for reporting on the number of assessments conducted and high-risk victims identified, and a review of the program's effectiveness by January 31, 2030, while also stating that no criminal, administrative, or civil liability will be imposed on individuals acting in good faith related to these assessments.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/HB26-1009